Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#1Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:45am
When theatres do reopen Im curious what theatre actors will not return to broadway either because of success in film/tv, retire or other ventures:
Lea Michele (but I honestly think that shes made her career out of broadway and has no interest in returning)
Robbie Fairchild (I think with his floral business he wont be returning)
Julie Andrews
Barbra Streisand (like Julie. I think age and interests will keep them away)
Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Cheyenne Jackson (I think he is going to permanently be out West with the film and tv world from now on)
Chita Rivera
Joel Gray
I know Angela Lansbury has already announced retirement from theatre.
I wonder if Bernadette Peters will take on another musical.
I can see Patti Lupone not doing anymore after Company
John Gallagher Jr. (but he seems to have disappeared from theatre )
Matt Rosell ( I think hell find another career)
#2Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:52amActors leave the business for a few years and come back all the time. Some older actors like Chita are probably fully retired, but most of the younger ones on your list will likely do a play again at some point.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#3Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 4:42am
Television and film may seem to rule the entertainment world today, but live theater will not be silenced (the show, after all, must go on). It’s well known that many film and television actors got their starts on the stage, but it’s fairly rare that celebrities return to their live-acting roots once they get behind the camera. For the most part, live and filmed performances exist in two different worlds.
A Director
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
#4Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 4:52am
Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.
Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.
Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances a week show?
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#5Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 8:15am
A Director said: "Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.
Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.
Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances aweek show?
"
Thank you for your comment. Then I’m sure as you are aware Angela Lansbury was performing eight shows a week in her 90s, Elaine stritch was 89 and performing 8 a week. Cicely Tyson 89. And James earl jones 82.
#6Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 9:45am
Well said, Theatrefanboy. In addition to the examples you named, tons of actors have done 8 shows a week well into their 80s, and even into their early 90s. These days, it’s actually not uncommon at all. It doesn’t mean that every Octogenarian will be up for it, but it does mean that you can’t immediately count people out because of their age. If they say explicitly they’re retired from the stage, that’s one thing, but otherwise, it’s anybody’s guess.
A Director, it’s probably best to do some research before accusing others of not doing their research.
#7Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 10:12am
John Gallagher, Jr. was scheduled to lead the Avett Brothers musical with Stark Sands at Berkeley Rep last summer, but it was postponed to the summer of 2021. While it's almost certain it will be postponed again, I would be surprised if Gallagher, Jr. didn't stick with the project, as he's seemed pretty committed to it in the past.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#8Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:25pm
Lea was just looking to be out in Hollywood, and she is no longer a real draw so Broadway wouldn't really serve her. Sara Ramirez who took her Tony and ran to Seattle Grace/Grey Sloan to never be seen again in theater. And Robbie Fairchild is a brilliant artist, we will surely see him again. His flower business is cute but doesn't have a huge following and he charges like $150+ for a vase of flowers. With the already congested flower market in NYC, you can't really be in business for too long with those prices.
Love seeing John Gallagher Jr where I can, I sincerely hope he comes back!
#9Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:36pm
@OP
Except for the actors who have explicitly retired from live performance, I tend to think that most stage actors will eventually return to the stage. Especially those who are are under 80.
For example: Patti LuPone is such a creature of the stage, and I have a hard time imagining her giving it up after Company. She has been appearing onstage pretty consistently over the past decade, and I don't see her calling it quits so soon. Especially because she seems perfectly happy to do non-musicals, which are less likely to be strenuous. Bernadette hasn't performed quite as frequently over the past decade, but she was up for the challenge of Dolly only a few years ago. So unless she takes a sudden turn for the worse, there's no reason to count her out.
As for your other examples of people in their 30s-50s, I really think it's short-sighted to assume that just because someone is focusing on film/tv right now, we won't ever see them onstage again. Life is long, and there's plenty of time for these actors to come and do something else onstage. I've been seeing theatre regularly for about 12 years now, and in that time, there have been tons of celebrities who were returned to the stage after long absences, of sometimes well over a decade. It's not uncommon, even among actors who aren't known for stage work, let alone people who got their start onstage, and have shown a love for stage work.
#10Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:37pm
Theatrefanboy1 said: "A Director said: "Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.
Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.
Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances aweek show?
"
Thank you for your comment. Then I’m sure as you are aware Angela Lansbury was performing eight shows a week in her 90s, Elainestritch was 89 and performing 8 a week. Cicely Tyson 89. AndJames earl jones 82."
Not to mention Elaine May, age 87, winning a Tony in 2019. That was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery.
teatime2
Featured Actor Joined: 3/25/18
#11Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 4:06pm
MCW1227 said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "A Director said: "Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.
Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.
Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances aweek show?
"
Thank you for your comment. Then I’m sure as you are aware Angela Lansbury was performing eight shows a week in her 90s, Elainestritch was 89 and performing 8 a week. Cicely Tyson 89. AndJames earl jones 82."
Not to mention Elaine May, age 87,winning a Tony in 2019.I know she passed away but that was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery."
She's Alive!
fosterfan2
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/11
#12Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/10/21 at 5:45pm
JBroadway said: "@OP
Except for the actors who have explicitly retired from live performance, I tend to think that most stage actors will eventually return to the stage. Especially those who are are under 80.
For example: Patti LuPone is such a creature of the stage, and I have a hard time imagining her giving it up after Company. She has been appearing onstage pretty consistently over the past decade, and I don't see her calling it quits so soon. Especially because she seems perfectly happy to do non-musicals, which are less likely to be strenuous. Bernadette hasn't performed quite as frequently over the past decade, but she was up for the challenge of Dolly only a few years ago.So unless she takes a sudden turn for the worse, there's no reason to count her out.
As for your other examples of people in their 30s-50s, I really think it's short-sighted to assume that just because someone is focusing on film/tv right now, we won't ever see them onstage again. Life is long, and there's plenty of time for these actors to come and do something else onstage. I've been seeing theatre regularly for about 12years now, and in that time, there have been tons ofcelebritieswho were returned to the stage after long absences, of sometimes well over a decade. It's not uncommon, evenamong actors who aren't known for stage work, let alone people who got their start onstage, and have shown a love for stage work."
Agree with all of this. Good comment. Also,many theater performers are doing more work on-screen at the moment since Broadway is shut down and I'm sure they like to eat and have a roof over their heads. Performers go where the work is,if they can get it,even when there's not a pandemic.
#13Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 3:35am
Bitch you nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought you said Amber Grey XD
#14Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 3:35am
Bitch you nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought you said Amber Grey XD
#15Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 4:15am
RedAsARose said: "Bitch you nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought you said Amber Grey XD"
Your snarky comment is pretty much uncalled for.
ArtMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/08
#16Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:16am
John Gallagher Jr is the adult male lead (plays the Father) in last year's spooky movie Come Play. You can get it at the Redbox or I assume Netflix. Fairly good. The young actor playing the lead, an autistic child, is very good.
#17Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:20am
MCW1227 said: "Not to mention Elaine May, age 87,winning a Tony in 2019.I know she passed away but that was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery."
Ummm... she's still alive. Lol.
#19Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:35am
Ian McKellen is scheduled to star in Hamlet/Cherry Garden in repertory as soon as the pandemic is over, Helen Mirren was supposed to start in Oedipus with Mark Strong last autumn, and the production has been delayed for obvious reasons. So, unless A Director knows better than them, they will return to the stage as soon as possible.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#20Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:48amAlso, you need to rephrase your title to Broadway. Countless Los Angeles actors who got their starts on Broadway continue doing theater regularly on the west coast. It may not be New York theater but they do live theater regularly - both musicals and plays. Many can’t commit to uprooting their lives for several months to do a project on Broadway (family, schedules, etc).
#21Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/11/21 at 10:26am
BrodyFosse123 said: "Also, you need to rephrase your title to Broadway. Countless Los Angeles actors who got their starts on Broadway continue doing theater regularly on the west coast. It may not be New York theater but they do live theater regularly - both musicals and plays. Many can’t commit to uprooting their lives for several months to do a project on Broadway (family, schedules, etc)."
^To your point, it's also much easier for UK actors (several of whom have been discussed in this thread) to perform in London than in NYC. Also, if out-of-town celebrities were to come to NYC, I imagine it might be easier to do runs Off-Broadway, since they'd only have to be here for 1 or 2 months. Especially if it's just a quick run at BAM or something like that.
#22Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/12/21 at 6:06am
bjh2114 said: "MCW1227 said: "Not to mention Elaine May, age 87,winning a Tony in 2019.I know she passed away but that was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery."
Ummm... she's still alive. Lol."
Very sorry about that, I thought I had read that she had passed away.
#23Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/12/21 at 8:44am
...did anyone seriously think Barbra Streisand would ever do theater again? Her last Broadway show was Funny Girl in 1965.
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#24Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/12/21 at 10:57amWell some theatre actors have been away from theatre for 25-30 years. And then come back to it like Glenda Jackson or Glenn Close. Bette Midler. Actually Bette had been quoted saying she rather likes the idea of spending her later years in smaller venues.
bwayboy22
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/12
#25Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre
Posted: 2/12/21 at 3:00pm
Kad said: "...didanyone seriously think Barbra Streisand would ever do theater again? Her last Broadway show was Funny Girl in 1965."
There was a lot of talk, pre-pandemic, that she would reopen the newly renovated Palace Theater with a short 6 to 8 week concert residency. Not sure if this is still on the table, but can’t see it being out of the realm of possibility.
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